Oak Harbor, WA 62 Apartments for Rent

Oak Harbor: home of the Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island and Deception Pass State Park, the most visited state park in Washington.

Oak Harbor is primarily a military town, with the Naval Air Station nearby, but the natural beauty surrounding the town has kept and attracted residents of all walks of life. Decent schools, easy access to major stores and low crime rates make the town very family friendly. Clouds and rainy days abound in Oak Harbor, but residents learn to tolerate the weather by donning rain gear and enjoying the breathtaking views of Deception Pass and the tranquil beauty of Puget Sound as much as possible.

Tips for Renting in Oak Harbor

With a population of about 20,000 people, Oak Harbor is home to a third of the population on Whidbey Island. The Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, about a 10-minute drive from downtown Oak Harbor, brings many Navy families to the area. Increasingly, Oak Harbor’s natural beauty combined with affordable living (relative to other areas in Puget Sound) has also attracted retirees and artists. In terms of culinary attractions, the city is known for its fresh seafood, local chocolate shop, farmers markets and growing wine industry. Just outside of town, Deception Pass State Park, whose main attraction is the only bridge connecting Whidbey Island to mainland Washington, welcomes more than a million visitors each year. Hope it's a strong bridge (it is, don't worry).

You shouldn’t have too much of a problem finding an apartment in Oak Harbor, where the vacancy rate is 9.17 percent, so long as you are interested in renting a two or three-bedroom unit. However, be sure to start looking for an apartment at least one month prior to moving to the area. Leasing a single-family home is just as common as renting a condo or apartment in Oak Harbor. Studios and one bedroom apartments, however, are few and far between. Waterfront properties and those on the outskirts of the city are not commonly rented.  

How much will it cost?

The median gross rent in Oak Harbor is a bit higher than the national average, but that's pretty standard for Washington. Rent for a one-bedroom here is a bit lower than the rest of the state, with two-bedroom and three-bedroom units also in line.Security deposits tend to cost at least as much as one month’s rent and often a bit more. Application fees of around $40 are commonly charged. Those application fees add up unfortunately, so don't think you can apply to 20+ places without feeling a pain in your wallet.

Neighborhoods

Northern and Central Oak Harbor: The Northern and Eastern areas of town cater to younger, unmarried residents. A high number of apartment complexes with mostly two bedroom units are located in the downtown area, a few blocks from the waterfront. Despite being close to downtown, these apartments are generally very affordable. Good restaurants, such as the BBQ Joint on Midway Boulevard and Jeda's Thai Kitchen, are easy to find in the central part of town. Multiple properties with two bedroom apartments can also be found close to the Naval Air Station. $$

Southern and Western Oak Harbor: In the southern and western areas of the city, the rental properties are generally single family homes with garages, yards, dishwashers and laundry machines. If only, maids were included -- we would be right there. Multiple parks and schools are located in these areas. $$$